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Friday, 1 July 2016
Thursday, 30 June 2016
Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Second Quarter 2016
Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Second Quarter 2016
Fiction:
1. Kringle - Tony Abbott
2. Troublemaker - Andrew Clements and Mark Elliott
3. Exodus - A.J. Gillette - Geoterra Book 1
4. Frindle - Andrew Clements
5. The Monks Daily Bread - Sylvia Dirham and Christopher Tupa
6. Song of the Poison Dragon - Tracey West and Damien Jones - Dragon Masters #5
7. The Scarlet Dragon - Jordan Quinn and Robert McPhillips - Kingdom of Wrenly book 2
8. Journey - A.J. Gillette - Geoterra Book 2
9. The Lost Stone - Jordan Quinn and Robert McPhillips - Kingdom of Wrenly Book 1
10. Yeti Files: Meet The Bigfeet - Kevin Sherry and Samantha Smith
Non-Fiction:
1. Real Mercy - Jacques Philippe
2. The Life God Wants You to Have - Gregory K. Popcak
3. The Porch and the Cross: Ancient Stoic Wisdom for Modern Christian Living - Kevin Vost
4. Wartime Prayer Book - Fulton Sheen
5. The Epistle to the Henrews and the Seven Core Beliefs of Catholics - Shane Kapler
6. Speaking to the Heart - Stephen Gabriel
7. Why Am I Here - Matthew Kelly
8. Basic Field Manual for Hearing God's Voice - Philip Kosloski
9. Great Quotes to Inspire Great Teachers - Noah benShea
10. Michael R. Gaitley on Divine Mercy
Divine Mercy Explained - The Divine Mercy Image Explained
Relates Posts:
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2010
Top 10 Reading Goals for 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 4th Quarter 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2010 - Recap
Top 10 Fiction Books 2010
Top 10 Picture Books of 2010
Top 10 Non-Fiction Books of 2010
Top 10 Graphic Novels for 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals for 2011 Update
Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fictions Books 4th Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals 2011 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 4th Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2013
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2013
Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2013
Top 10 Books Second Half 2013
Top Ten Fiction Books 2013
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2013
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2014
Top Ten Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2015
Top Ten Fiction Books 2015
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2015
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2016
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2016
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2016
All Top Ten Lists on Book Reviews and More
Statistics Books Read By Year:
88 - 2016 January-June
177 - 2015
130 - 2014
88 - 2013
176 - 2012
163 - 2011
302 - 2010
142 - 2009
98 - 2008
83 - 2007
191 - 2006
151 - 2005
60 - 2004
52 - 2003
97 - 2002
50 - 2001
41 - 2000
71 - 1999
73 - 1998
131 - 1997
101 - 1996
Wednesday, 29 June 2016
The Scarlet Dragon - Jordan Quinn and Robert McPhillips - Kingdom of Wrenly Book 2
The Scarlet Dragon
The Kingdom of Wrenly Book 2
Jordan Quinn
Robert McPhillips (Illustrator)
Little Simon an imprint of
Simon and Schuster
ISBN 9781442496934
ASIN B00DA9IJKQ
This was the second book in the Secrets of Wrenly series that we have read as a family. My oldest daughter and I took turn's reading it to the younger children. All of us thoroughly enjoyed the book. This is one of a few series we are reading currently together. The children really enjoy the illustrations. The reading level is such that my grade 4 can read it easily, and yet the story is entertaining enough that all the way down to kindergarten love reading it.
The illustrations by Robert McPhillips really help make the story. We have been reading these books electronically and the kids love expanding the pictures and zooming in to see all the details. The pen and ink or line sketches really do contain a lot of details. The children love going back and forth to the pictures as we read.
As the second book in the series there is less set up and background compared to the first story. Therefore we jump right into the adventure. In this story a Scarlet dragon egg is found, but soon after hatching it becomes Ill. Lucas and Clara go on an adventure to find special berries, vixberries to be specific, that will help cure the dragonling.
Overall this was better than book one. And it sets up lots of promising future reading with 8 more books already out in the series. We are looking forward to seeing what Clara and Lucas get up to next. These books are great for young readers and those who read to them. So go for an adventure in Wrenly I am sure you will enjoy the quest.
Books in the Kingdom of Wrenly Series:
The Lost Stone
The Scarlet Dragon
Sea Monster!
The Witch's Curse
Adventures in Flatfrost
Beneath the Stone Forest
Let the Games Begin!
The Secret World of Mermaids
The Bard and the Beast
The Pegasus Quest
Monday, 27 June 2016
Troublemaker - Andrew Clements and Mark Elliott
Troublemaker
Andrew Clements
Mark Elliott (Illustrator)
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
A Division of Simon and Schuster
ISBN 9781416949329
ASIN B00710PYW6
This was the second book I have read by Andrew Clements in under a week. As soon as I finished Frindle I picked up this one to read. I really enjoyed Frindle but I loved this one. In many ways Clayton Hensley reminds me of myself. Not afraid to stand up to authority, not afraid to get in trouble, and not afraid to cross lines. But in this book after his older brother returns from a month in county jail things are about to change.
Shortly after our story begins Clayton promises his big brother he will work at cleaning up his act. But when you have a reputation for making trouble, often people will not take your changes at face value. Clayton goes from being one of the wild ruffian's in the school to asking to not be sent to the principal's office overnight. The other kids especially his best friend do not understand the change. But Clayton has given his word and as hard as it is he is working on making changes.
Soon Clayton finds himself examining what is doing, what he observers with new eyes. He finds he is thinking about other people's feelings, how the same would impact him. What it is like to be on the other side. Soon he realizes a lot of what he did for fun was really not fun for himself and especially others. These little examinations of conscience are helping him to make the changes he promised. And being a man of his word means a lot to him.
This was an incredible book to read. I just wish I had learned some of the lessons as young as Clayton did. I am really looking forward to reading this book with my kids over summer break. Another great book by a new found favorite author. An excellent read!
Bird Adalbert
Noah and the Ark and the Animals
Santa's Secret Helper
Temple Cat
Mother Earth's Counting Book
Billy and the Bad Teacher
Who Owns the Cow
Bright Christmas: An Angel Remembers
Frindle
(Adapter)Philipp's Birthday Book
Riff's BeBop Book
Real Monsters Go for the Mold
Things That Go EEK on Halloween
Real Monsters Stage Fright
Music Time, Any Time
Double Trouble in Walla Walla
Workshop
Gromble's Haunted Halloween
Hey Dad, Could I Borrow Your Hammer
The Landry News
Look Who's in the Thanksgiving Play
The Mouse Family
The Janitor's Boy
Circus Family Dog
The Christmas Kitten
The School Story
Things Not Seen
The Jacket
A Week in the Woods
Slippers at Home
Naptime for Slippers
The Report Card
The Last Holiday Concert
Slippers at School
Slippers Loves to Run
A Million Is a Lot of Dots
Lunch Money
Things Hoped For
Room One: A Mystery or Two
No Talking
Things That Are
Lost and Found
Extra Credit
Troublemaker
About Average
The Map Trap
The Friendship War
The Losers Club
...
Pets to the Rescue Series
Ringo Saves the Day!
Brave Norman
Tara and Tiree, Fearless Friends
Delores and the Big Fire
Jake Drake Series
Jake Drake Know-It-All
Jake Drake, Bully Buster
Jake Drake, Teacher's Pet
Jake Drake, Class Clown
Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School Series
We the Children
Fear Itself
The Whites of Their Eyes
In Harm's Way
We Hold These Truths
Reading program Books
Karen's Island
Three Wishes for Buster
Bill Picket: An American Original, Texas Style
Hurricane Andrew
Ham and Eggs for Jack
Life in the Desert
Desert Treasure
Inventors: Making Things Better, Steck-Vaughn
Milo's Great Invention
Wednesday, 22 June 2016
Frindle - Andrew Clements
Frindle
Andrew Clements
Brian Selznick (Illustrator)
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
A Division of Simon and Schuster
ISBN 9780689818769
ASIN B0030H7UM6
This book was a great little read. It came as a recommendation from another blog. I do not recall reading any books by Andrew Clements, and most of his books were written after 1995 when I started keeping track. But there was something familiar about the story. The writing is highly entertaining.
Nick Allen is a very intelligent boy, and he seems to have a knack for stirring up trouble even though he does not intend to be a troublemaker. This book focuses mostly around his fifth grade year. Without intending to he ends up in a battle with Mrs. Granger. This is a war that goes on from the first day of school until the end of the year. And it is a war or words, or more specifically a war about words. After giving a report, an extra assignment, on dictionaries Nick comes up with the plan to eliminate the word pen and replace it with Frindle.
The characters are well done. One can't help cheering for Nick and wishing against the Granger. And once words are set loose they cannot be taken back and that is what happens to Nick. By the time his parents become aware of the situation he cannot take the word back, it has a life of its own. The story gets more and more complicated, spreading from Nick's class to all grade 5's, to the whole school and soon the whole nation.
This was a wonderful book to read. I have put it to the top of the summer reading list for my oldest to read with her, and then to have her read to her younger siblings. It is the type of story that teaches a great lesson, has some fun but also looks at the seriousness of our actions and the consequences they can have. This book was so good I have already picked up a few others by Clements to read with the kids. I highly recommend this book.
Books by Andrew Clements:
Bird Adalbert
Noah and the Ark and the Animals
Santa's Secret Helper
Temple Cat
Mother Earth's Counting Book
Billy and the Bad Teacher
Who Owns the Cow
Bright Christmas: An Angel Remembers
Frindle
(Adapter)Philipp's Birthday Book
Riff's BeBop Book
Real Monsters Go for the Mold
Things That Go EEK on Halloween
Real Monsters Stage Fright
Music Time, Any Time
Double Trouble in Walla Walla
Workshop
Gromble's Haunted Halloween
Hey Dad, Could I Borrow Your Hammer
The Landry News
Look Who's in the Thanksgiving Play
The Mouse Family
The Janitor's Boy
Circus Family Dog
The Christmas Kitten
The School Story
Things Not Seen
The Jacket
A Week in the Woods
Slippers at Home
Naptime for Slippers
The Report Card
The Last Holiday Concert
Slippers at School
Slippers Loves to Run
A Million Is a Lot of Dots
Lunch Money
Things Hoped For
Room One: A Mystery or Two
No Talking
Things That Are
Lost and Found
Extra Credit
Troublemaker
About Average
The Map Trap
The Friendship War
The Losers Club
...
Pets to the Rescue Series
Ringo Saves the Day!: A True Story
Brave Norman: A True Story
Tara and Tiree, Fearless Friends: A True Story
Delores and the Big Fire: A True Story
Jake Drake Series
Jake Drake Know-It-All
Jake Drake, Bully Buster
Jake Drake, Teacher's Pet
Jake Drake, Class Clown
Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School Series
We the Children
Fear Itself
The Whites of Their Eyes
In Harm's Way
We Hold These Truths
Reading program Books
Karen's Island
Three Wishes for Buster
Bill Picket: An American Original, Texas Style
Hurricane Andrew
Ham and Eggs for Jack
Life in the Desert
Desert Treasure
Inventors: Making Things Better, Steck-Vaughn
Milo's Great Invention
Monday, 20 June 2016
A Personal Mission Statement - Michal Stawicki - Your Road Map to Happiness
A Personal Mission Statement:
Your Road Map to Happiness
Michal Stawicki
AISN B00D0DNP5Q
ISBN 9781508505969
I have read this book 4 times over the last year. My initial reaction was to state that "I would compare Michal to Robin Sharma, Stephen R. Covey, Dan Millman and John C. Maxwell. It is a mix of some incredible insight, great tips, practice advice and some good steps to get you there." The reason I read through it 4 times was to really work on the material and craft my own personal mission statement. A few years ago I had a co-worker ask me what I was my greatest achievements, he through I would say degrees, certifications, projects at work. I surprised him when I said, being a good husband, being a good father, brother friend. This book helped take some of those areas of life and more and focus them. It was a process, and took months for me to hone and craft it into something not vague, that was succinct and meaningful. And Michal provided guidance along the whole journey.
Michal starts, as always by teaching from his own experience. He states "I share with you what my personal mission statement creation process looked like. In that example, I show you which points I consider vital in the creation of a mission statement in general." He also draws often from the late Jim Rohn. Stawicki leaping off from Rohn declares: "Jim Rohn said that the natural order of things is to chisel your character first and the success comes from your character. To chisel your inner self, you first need to know yourself. I think a personal mission statement is the best road map to build your character and consequently your success, however you define it.
A personal mission statement is your philosophy, your creed. "It focuses on what you want to be (character) and what you want to do (contributions and achievements), and on the values or principles upon which being and doing are based." It is supposed to allow you to state your own constitution based on your deepest values, so you can lead life premised on them." And that is where our journey begins, with finding our purpose: "A personal mission statement is about your life's purpose. This purpose determines the quality and quantity of your life. Literally."
Speaking about that purpose Michal quotes Victor Frankal and expands upon Frankal's though: "Victor Frankl was convinced that every human being has his/ her unique life's purpose. Maybe you even agree with that statement. But it's not enough to know it exists. To have the vague feeling of your mission. What you need is a concrete purpose. You need to know by heart the exact words which will guide you through everyday decisions. Thus, you need a personal mission statement." Unfortunately many in life get stuck believe they have a purpose but never put in the time and effort to really figure out what it is.
Michal like us a just a regular Joe, a guy who has learned by trial and error and his had some great successes. He says "Most of us are just common folks who struggle with our fears, doubts, anxieties, past. We don't dream of being a hero, rescuing the world. We dream about a few sources of income to be able to support our families and look to the future with hope. To heal our relationships. To break up our addictions. To reduce the pile of our problems." And the purpose of a personal mission statement is to help narrow that list down and to really go to work on it.
Michal wonders "Maybe in following your personal mission statement, you will grow beyond your wildest dreams.", or maybe we will just be happier, more content and more focused. Either way it is a win if we find ourselves living with renewed passion and purpose. But he is adamant in warning us that "Your personal mission statement is not a certificate of accomplishment to be put into the drawer. It is supposed to be your lens, starting point, the source of focus. Use it." And some of the ways he encourages us to use it are:
a) Read it every day. Or even better - read it several times a day.
b) Meditate upon it. It's the same story as with reading - make it a ritual and compose it into your schedule.
c) Listen to it. Record your personal mission statement and listen to it any time and any place you want
d) Visualize it. This is especially important if you included some future aspirations or desired changes in the mission statement.
e) Create a vision board. Find pictures and photos corresponding with your mission statement. Stick them to the board.
f) Make a mind movie. Its function is similar to a vision board - a mind movie is meant to fire up your imagination.
So go for it get the book, but in the work and let's see the places you will go.
Books by Michal Stawicki:
The Art of Persistence: Stop Quitting, Ignore Shiny Objects and Climb Your Way to Success
A Personal Mission Statement: Your Road Map to Happiness
Trickle Down Mindset: The Missing Element In Your Personal Success
Slicing the Hype
99 Perseverance Success Stories: Encouragement for Success in Every Walk of Life
Power up Your Self-Talk: 6 Simple Habits to Stop Beating Yourself Up and Reclaim Your Life
99 Habit Success Stories
...
Simplify Your Pursuit of Success - Book 1
Know Yourself Like Your Success Depends on It - Book 2
Bulletproof Health and Fitness: Your Secret to High Achievement - Book 3
Making Business Connections That Count - Book 4
Directed by Purpose: How to Focus on Work That Matters, Ignore Distractions and Manage Your Attention over the Long Haul - Book 5
How to Change Your Life in 10 Minutes a Day Series:
The Fitness Expert Next Door - Book 1
Learn to Read with Great Speed! Only 10 minutes a day! - Book 2
Release Your Kid's Dormant Genius In Just 10 Minutes a Day: Parenting Your Smart Underachiever With Consistency and Love - Book 3
Master Your Time In 10 Minutes a Day: Time Management Tips for Anyone Struggling With Work-Life Balance - Book 4
From Shy to Hi: Tame Social Anxiety, Meet New People, and Build Self-Confidence - Book 5
Author Profile and Interview with Michal Stawicki
Friday, 17 June 2016
Great Quotes to Inspire Great Teachers - Noah benShea
Great Quotes to Inspire Great Teachers
Noah benShea
Skyhorse Publishing
ISBN 9781629146898
eISBN 9781629149691
ASIN B00NS42DFA
I must admit I have been a huge fan of Noah benShea's writing since encountering the book Jacob the Baker at a retreat at a street mission in Toronto many year ago. This book is very different than the Jacob series, and yet like everything I have read by Noah is full of wisdom, wisdom that will help you live a better life and be a better person. The difference is as a formal teacher and principal and someone with a lifelong focus on education this book is geared to teachers.
In my life I have been blessed with a few amazing teachers, many good teachers and luckily very few who were poor educators. As I read through this book I took inspiration and recalled fondly many teachers from my past, from grade school all the way to university in my late 30's. I also thought of a few friends who are currently teachers and the great work they do.
The collection of quotes in this book are narrowed down to 26 categories. Noah draws from his own writings, and from numerous motivational, historical and religious sources. The Specific chapters are:
Contents:
1. The Art of Teaching
2. Adversity
3. Behavior
4. Character
5. Children
6. Collaboration and Teamwork
7. Communication and Conflict
8. Community
9. Compassion
10. Criticism
11. Discipline
12. Diversity, Culture, and Language
13. Gifted and Talented
14. Gossip
15. Leadership
16. Math and Science
17. Personal and Professional Develop.
18. Reading and Writing
19. Responsibility
20. School Safety
21. Spirituality
22. Stress, Rest, and Well-being
23. Technology
24. Testing
25. Time and Resources Management
26. Women in Education
End Word
This book can be read through from beginning to end, or picked up and randomly sampled. Like his other books that I have read I know I will come back to this one again and read it often, as such I can highly recommend it. On my first reading through I did not mark up the book. On the second I highlighted 19 quotes. And I will share some of those with you as a taste of what the book offers.
"Teaching is not a lost art, but the regard for it is a lost tradition."
-Jacques Barzun
"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value."
-Albert Einstein
"One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers . . . with gratitude to those who touched our human feeling . . ."
-Carl Gustav Jung
"When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier."
-Roy Disney
"Actions don't speak louder than words. They shout."
-Noah benShea
"Although our inattention can contribute to our lack of total well-being, we also have the power to choose positive behaviors and responses. In that choice we change our every experience of life! Every thought, word, and behavior affects our greater health and well-being . . . physically, emotionally and spiritually."
-Greg Anderson (US basketball player)
"The essence of good behavior is thinking about what's also good for others."
-Noah benShea
"Character is less often something we grow into and more often where we grow from."
-Noah benShea
"Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny."
-Frank Outlaw
"Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one."
-Marcus Aurelius
"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn."
-Alvin Toffler
"We teach what we like to learn and the reason many people go into teaching is vicariously to re-experience the primary joy experienced the first time they learned something they loved."
-Stephen Brookfield
"The word "no" carries a lot more meaning when spoken by a parent who also knows how to say "yes.""
-Joyce Maynard
"Two monologues do not make a dialogue."
-Jeff Daly
"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."
-Albert Schweitzer
"The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism."
-Norman Vincent Peale
"Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty."
-Frank Herbert
"All leadership begins with self-leadership."
-Noah benShea
"Prayer is a path where there is none."
-Noah benShea
As can be seen from this sampling there is some amazing stuff in this little volume. A few of the quotes I had encountered before but there were many that were new to me. Some are applicable to my role as a father, and some as an employee and some for just being and learning to be better at being. I highly recommend this book.
Books by Noah Ben Shea:
Jacob Series:
Jacob the Baker
Jacob's Journey
Jacob's Ladder
We Are All Jacob's Children
...
Other Books:
The Journey to Greatness and How to Get There
A Compass for Healing
A Compass for the Classroom
Great Quotes to Inspire Great Teachers
Great Jewish Quotes
Inspire, Enlighten & Motivate
The Word: Jewish Wisdom Through Time
What Every Principal Would Like To Say … And What To Say
A World Of Ways To Say I Do: Wedding Vows, Readings, Poems, and Customs from Different Traditions and Cultures
Remember This My Children
Dear Mom
Dear Mom 2nd Edition
Dear Dad
Deae Dad 2nd Edition
Dear Teacher
Dear Friend
Prayer for Your Newborn
Author Profile interview with Noah benShea.
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